Here at Affiliated Podiatrists Ltd. in Chicago, IL, Drs. Feder, Kalk, and Richley treat common foot conditions such as bunions, warts, hammertoes, and more every day. Read on to learn how our podiatrists can help keep your feet in top shape.

Why see a podiatrist?

If your feet/ankles hurt or your mobility has been impaired by a podiatric condition such as bunions or hammertoes, your entire life can be affected. After all, pain, poor gait, limited range of motion, and more can all impair your ability to care for your family, work, or enjoy your favorite hobbies.

Accordingly, here at Affiliated Podiatrists Ltd., your foot doctors recommend an annual podiatric checkup for everyone over the age of 40 and more frequently for diabetics and those with serious conditions such as peripheral artery disease. During these appointments, your podiatrists check the ligaments, tendons, and even skin and nails to ensure optimal podiatric health.

Additionally, your podiatrists perform specialized gait analysis, take sophisticated imaging (such as MRIS), assess circulation, and more. Customized treatment plans can include surgeries as needed, but more frequently, your foot doctors provide the exercises, shoe inserts, laser therapies, and other less invasive treatments that are effective yet cause less downtime and inconvenience.

Common podiatric conditions and treatments

Here are some of the podiatric conditions that your foot doctors treat in their Chicago offices:

• Bunions, an acquired deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe
• Hammertoes, in which the smaller toes resemble claws due to pressure from poorly fitting shoes
• Ingrown toenails which grow into the skin at the side of the big toes because of poor pedicure techniques and shoes with narrow toe boxes
• Fungal toenails, or onychomycosis, yellow, brittle nails infected with a fungi which thrive in moist, dark environments such as sweaty sneakers
• Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue which stretches across the arch, causing heel pain
• Plantar warts, small hard bumps on the bottom surface of either foot, typically caused by a virus
• Corns and calluses, thickened areas of skin which form from pressure and friction inside the shoe

Drs. Feder, Kalk, and Richley offer traditional and highly reliable treatment plans for these conditions. Additionally, they work to provide the latest innovations in foot and ankle care.

How are your feet doing?

Find out for sure by coming to Affiliated Podiatrists Ltd. in Chicago. We have two convenient locations and Saturday hours, as well. For the Central Avenue location, phone (773) 202-8800. For West Addison Street, call (773) 696-4700.

Let your flexible spending account work hard for you and your footcare needs when you need it most.

Has your employer enrolled you in a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA)? If so, then this could help you afford the necessary medical care you need when you are dealing with foot or ankle problems in Chicago and you need to turn to our podiatrists for treatment. (The kind of care that might not have been a covered benefit by the terms of your insurance policy.) Medical care shouldn’t break the bank and using your flexible spending account can help you save money and stay healthy.
 

How does an FSA or HSA work?

It’s important to be aware that both of these spending accounts take a use-it-or-lose-it approach. Therefore, whatever money is in your account that you don’t use at the end of the year you’ll lose. While some companies may offer a rollover, chances are good that you will lose the money you put into your spending account if you don’t use it.

If you find that you have cash left in your FSA or HAS you’ll want to use it before December 31st. Luckily, podiatry visits and treatments qualify. With HSA/FSA you can pay for,

Regular appointments: Preventive care is always the best medicine. Visit our Chicago foot doctors every year to make sure that your feet and ankles are healthy and that you are doing everything you can to keep them free from disease and injury.

Orthotics: Custom orthotics can provide your feet with additional cushioning and support and can help everyone from diabetics to athletes.

Laser therapy: Whether your podiatrist has recommended EPAT to treat heel or tendon pain or you are interested in getting PinPointe™ laser therapy to treat your stubborn toenail fungus, your flexible spending account can make it possible to afford the treatments you need to care for your feet.

Affiliated Podiatrists has two offices to provide more comprehensive and attentive foot and ankle care to patients living in Chicago, IL. If you have a flex spending account then let’s talk about ways that we can help you save on the foot and ankle care you need. Call us for an appointment. Now the freedom to choose is yours. Call 773-202-8800.

Bunions are not just unattractive—they can also cause pain and even affect your ability to walk, exercise, and even drive in severe cases. If a bunion is large enough, it can even make it difficult to fit into your shoes! In most cases, bunions can be managed and treated conservatively with just a few lifestyle adjustments and modifications. Unfortunately, bunions can also get progressively worse over time, causing pain and putting you at risk for joint damage. Here at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. in Chicago, IL, our podiatrists offer diagnostic and treatment options for bunions and other foot and ankle injuries and conditions—read on to learn how we can help your condition.

What Exactly is a Bunion?

Bunions are caused by damage to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and manifest themselves as bumps at the base of the big toe, sometimes going so far as to curve the big toe away from the joint and towards the other toes. Bunions can be painful and cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, calluses, and corns due to the friction between the bunion and your shoes. Arthritis in the MTP joint can also limit your range of motion and make movement painful.

What Causes Bunions?

Anyone can develop a bunion without an obvious underlying reason, but there are some factors that can increase your risk and make you more susceptible to bunions. Some of the biggest risk factors include:

• Wearing high heels and narrow shoes that crowd the toes
• Spending a lot of time on your feet
• Heredity and family history
• Have flat feet/low arches
• An injury to the joint
• Arthritis

How We Can Help

Generally, depending on the size of the bunion and the severity of your symptoms, our podiatrists initially recommend conservative treatments such as applying ice, taking medication (ibuprofen or cortisone), using a splint, or wearing supportive insoles/orthotics. However, if you have extensive joint damage, surgery is sometimes recommended to remove damaged tissue and repair the joint. To decide which treatment is best for your situation, we will examine your bunion during a consultation at one of our Chicago offices. At this point, we will then discuss your options with you in order to determine the best course of action.

Contact Us

For more information about your risk for developing bunions and the treatment options available to you, contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. by dialing (773) 202-8800 or (773) 696-4700 to schedule an appointment at one of our two Chicago locations.

This new laser treatment can target chronic and acute pain and inflammation.

Oh the places you go, thanks to your feet; however, this often means that at some point you may deal with foot discomfort. If foot and ankle pain has been going on for some time then our Chicago podiatrists can help.

While we offer a wide range of treatment options to cater to both acute and chronic pain and inflammation, Affiliated Podiatrists is also pleased to offer patients the MLS (Multi-Wave Locked System) 6 laser made by Cutting Edge for providing more effective pain relief.
 

What is MLS laser therapy?

This revolutionary, FDA-cleared laser treatment is used to reduce pain and inflammation while improving blood flow and healing to areas of the body including the feet. This laser has the ability to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, making it a safe way to target and eliminate pain. Plus, laser therapy offers a simple solution for managing pain without having to take medication for the long term or undergo invasive surgery.
 

Who could benefit from getting MLS laser therapy?

You may benefit from this laser treatment if you are dealing with,

• Muscle spasms
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sports-related injuries
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Stress fractures
• Tendonitis
• Strains and sprains

Many musculoskeletal injuries or problems that lead to pain and inflammation in the feet and ankles could benefit from this simple laser therapy.
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What should I expect from this treatment?

In less than 10 minutes this laser system is directed over the affected foot, delivering energy into the body and stimulating the natural healing response. Before getting treatment our foot doctor will sit down with you and discuss the issues you are having. Based on the type and severity of the condition or injury, we will determine how many sessions you will need in order to receive the best results. In most cases, patients will need to undergo anywhere from 6-8 separate treatment sessions.

Affiliated Podiatrists has two offices in Chicago to provide more patients with the highest quality foot care possible. If you are dealing with chronic foot pain and inflammation that isn’t responding to conservative care then it’s time to sit down with one of our podiatrists to find out if MLS laser therapy is right for you.

PinPointe Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus

Struggling with toenail fungus? Toenail fungus is an infection underneath the surface of the toenail caused by fungus. It can make your toenail get thicker or change color. It can also be painful. If you suffer from toenail fungus, laser treatment can help. The PinPointe FootLaser provides effective, comfortable treatment of toenail fungus. Affiliated Podiatrists, which has two offices in Chicago, IL, offers PinPointe laser treatments to the patients they serve.

What is Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungus. Toenail fungal infections can range from a simple nuisance to a significant problem in a person’s life. A toenail fungal infection is progressive and won't go away without treatment. A proper diagnosis and treatment can increase your chances of success and prevent long-term damage to the toenail.

How Does Nail Fungus Affect my Life?

A toenail fungal infection can be distressing and have a negative effect on your quality of life. Many patients who are suffering from toenail fungus feel embarrassed about their condition. Many patients avoid wearing sandals because of how their toenails look. Toenail fungus can also lead to pain and mobility problems.

How Does PinPointe FootLaser Work?

The laser works by shining a beam of light into a nail infected with fungus. The laser penetrates the nail and vaporizes fungus embedded in the nail plate and nail bed where toenail fungus exists. The biggest difference between nail fungus laser treatment and other treatments such as medications or topical treatments is that it reaches to the core of the infection and destroys the fungus completely.

Are Laser Treatments Painful?

PinPointe laser treatments are minimally invasive. The laser light beam does not harm the toenail or surrounding skin. PinPointe laser treatments are virtually painless, and there is no need for anesthesia. The procedure typically takes only 30-minutes to complete. Pinpointe laser treatments make it comfortable, easy and effective to finally get rid of toenail fungus.

Are PinPointe Laser Treatments Safe?

PinPointe laser treatment is safe and effective. It has been approved by the FDA and doesn’t involve any bandaging. There are no associated side effects with using PinPointe laser treatments in treating toenail fungal infections.

Toenail fungus can be treated with the PinPointe FootLaser, saving years of pain and embarrassment. Call Affiliated Podiatrists at (773) 202-8800 today to schedule an appointment for our office on N. Central Ave. in Chicago, IL. Call (773) 696-4700 to schedule an appointment for our office on W. Addison St. in Chicago, IL. You will experience exemplary service and world-class care at Affiliated Podiatrists!